Managing a Training Program with a Carrot or a Stick

Okay, so you’ve made the decision to offer some training, and you’ve gotten the bean counter’s blessing, so now what? How do you manage the training initiative and still get your job done?

Get out the proverbial carrot or stick? Luckily it’s much simpler than that.

Have a plan. It can be as simple as a written note, or it can be formal plan. The important part is having a plan. Here’s a few things to keep in mind:

1. What results do you expect from the training program?

     Reduced time spent on preparing files?
     Reduced waste?

2. How will you measure it beyond test scores?

     Line items on your financial statement?
     Labor dollars? Over-time? Waste?

3. How will you use these results?

     Will employees be rewarded for successes such as incentive programs?
     Will results be included in performance reviews?

4. Develop a schedule.

     Dedicate specific timeframes for training.
          (Interestingly enough, our peak training time is the lunch hour.)
     Run usage reports periodically to monitor overall and individual progress.
     Send system-generated reminder emails if needed.

Feel better now? It’s really not that complicated, so jump in, and know that we are here to help you. However, we do not recommend you use this method.

Happy Training!